BUCKFIELD – Rose Brogan Ricker, 84, died peacefully at her Buckfield home on Saturday, Sept. 24, following a long illness.

She was born Nov. 29, 1920, in Yokohama, Japan, the daughter of Rose and Robert Brogan. A British citizen, she was educated in Japan and England before coming to the United States, just ahead of World War II.

She later earned a B.S.Ed. and an M.S. in library science at the University of Southern Maine.

She married George A. Ricker Jr. on Aug. 16, 1958, in Freeport.

She was employed in various capacities at Pineland Hospital and retired in 1983 as director of several residence halls.

She will be best remembered for her advocacy on behalf of Maine’s developmentally disabled citizens, and was instrumental in bringing the Special Olympics to Maine.

Honoring her Japanese heritage, she taught courses in oriental culture and origami at local schools and at Elder Hostels around the country.

She was also active in the Poland Spring Preservation Society and co-authored “Poland Spring Remembered,” a history of the Ricker family in Poland Spring.

She is survived by her beloved husband, George; son, John, and his daughters, Theresa and Jennifer; son, Lawrence and his children, Shad, Erin, and Jessica; and one great-grandchild, Jesse.

She was predeceased by her parents; and her younger brother, John.

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